Turtle/ Terrapin in aquariums?

[Phantom Thief]

Is it possible to put a turtle in an aquarium? Im talking freshwater here. Because i've been thinking about it, my only worry is what to feed it and whether it will kill of fish when it gets larger.

P.T.

ps: i have no idea where a post like this belongs...

 

[plecoperson]

personally, I wouldnt. Unless you have kept reptiles before, and know all about their needs and wants, I wouldnt risk them eating your fish. Terrapins and turtles are very specialist animals - research the subject thoroughly before deciding!

 

[Pointy_kitty]

unfortuately,
every case that i have heard of where people keep turtles in with fish
the turtles have a feast
so i would have to urge you not to try
if you really want something different in your tank try a frog
there are several different types that could be kept in your aquarium

BTW
there is an anphibian section for all of your turtle/salamander/frog/etc. questions

 

[swammy]

I am very curious about this also. I have been doing lots of googles and reading on turtles lately. I think that it would be soooo awesome to have a full community in my aquarium. I am thinking i might be able to get by with a divider inbetween the fish and the turtle. I plan on doing much more research before I finally go through with this plan. I might just end up using my 10 gallon for a turtle alone, and keep my fish in the 29 gallon. Everything that everyone is saying so far is correct according to my research, though. The turtle will have a feast on the fish. If I am remembering correctly, a small turtle out there would be a reeves turtle...but he likes to eat fish. Although not very fast, he can eat them if he wants. Keep posting your findings here, because like I said...i am very curious about this also!!

 

[Sharlene1385]

The turtles would feast, specially if its a Red Eared Slider. I had one and I do not suggest ever getting a turtle untill you know all about them, takes an awful lot of work, more then fish. I had him in a 10 gal and it is WAY too small. Here is a link to a turtle forum and site, they have a lot of help. They helped me with my turtle and I found him a home. You have to have a least a 75 gal tank, for females, 120 gal 1 turtle alone. And they eat fish. They love Ghost Shrimp and small fish. Turtle Forum

Please look into it more, because I know the people at the forum are very tough if they think you'll "abuse" a turtle by placing it in a small tank. They need an island, special food, heaters, lights, basking lights, plants sometimes, and a large amount of swimming room, they are also extremly dirty, suggested if you had a 75 gal tank, to get a filter that can handle a 150 gal tank, double your size tank. Most people have 2 filters just for the turtle. They also may carry samanella, though it is curable and you just always wash your hands.
Don't get me wrong, they are fun, sweet, and interesting, but a very big handful. Sad I had to give mine up, but I didn't have the right stuff nor the money it takes to care for them. They also have laws against them, no turtle should be sold under 4 in long because of a mishap back in the 60's. You can read about it at that site. They will help you understand what you need to get started.

 

[Fuzzy]

couldnt something like a soft shell turtle be kept with something as big as cichlids can get?

 

[CFC]

Ive just added a asian soft shell turtle to one of my tanks and so far all seems ok, the fish are all too large to be eaten but not large enough to eat the turtle. As far as i can tell the only different factor is that the turtle must have a dry area of land to get out onto and the tank cannot be too deep as they need to be able to get to the surface quickly for air. So far i have fed mine catfish pellets and bloodworm both of which have been eaten with gusto.